Thought Leaders in Automation

Aamir Paul

President, North America Operations
Schneider Electric

Interview Posted: May 2, 202

Aamir Paul leads North America Operations and is a member of the Global Executive Committee for Schneider Electric. In this role, he leads all operations from strategy to execution for Canada, Central America, Mexico, and the United States — delivering best-in-class solutions for partners and end-users across the Energy Management and Industrial Automation businesses. Prior to this role, Aamir served three years leading commercial operations as the U.S. Country President. He also led Business Operations and the U.S. National Sales team since joining the company in 2013. Before arriving at Schneider Electric, Aamir spent over a decade at Dell, where he held several key roles of increasing responsibility in North America and Europe. He served as Dell’s Senior Vice President of Server Solutions, leading the development and execution of the company’s go-to-market strategy for all key markets and customer segments worldwide. He also had global sales responsibility for Data Center Solutions (DCS) and High-Performance Computing (HPC), focusing on the top 100 customer relationships. Earlier in his career, Aamir worked as a Process Engineer at AlliedSignal (now a part of Honeywell). He holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL., and completed advanced management studies at the University of Chicago Booth and INSEAD. Aamir serves as a board member for the National Association of Manufacturers, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, USG, and the Executives’ Club of Chicago.

QUESTION

How is AI technology evolving to meet current economic needs?

ANSWER

Industrial technology is evolving rapidly to address current economic needs in several ways. Advances in automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics are streamlining operations across industries, helping businesses reduce costs, improve efficiency, and increase output — allowing them to remain competitive in a global market. The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) is another major development, enabling real-time monitoring and data collection from industrial equipment, which leads to improved maintenance, reduced downtime, and optimized operations. This connectivity also supports the development of smart factories, where systems are interconnected and can operate autonomously.

Innovations in technology are also giving rise to entirely new sectors, such as renewable energy, biotechnology, and fintech — driving economic growth and creating new job opportunities. Sustainability remains a key force in the evolution of industrial technology, with innovations in renewable energy sources, energy-efficient machinery, and sustainable materials helping industries reduce their environmental impact while maintaining economic growth. Finally, advancements in AI and machine learning are enabling predictive analytics and smarter decision-making processes, helping businesses anticipate market trends, manage supply chains more effectively, and improve overall operational efficiency.

QUESTION

With economists forecasting larger uses of robotics and automation, this potentially means a lot of new customers – what would you tell business leaders about getting started with automation?

ANSWER

Automation is crucial for industrial operations and, alongside digitization, plays a vital role in addressing challenges such as skilled worker shortages, climate change, and resource scarcity. However, with technology evolving faster than ever, many industrial systems are outdated, and some are unchanged since the 1980s. Traditional automation systems are often rigid and reliant on proprietary technologies, making upgrades difficult and expensive. Machines from different vendors can't communicate, and vendor lock-in prevents collaboration.

Looking ahead, the risk of underinvestment in next-generation automation far outweighs the risk of overinvestment. Embracing innovation in automation is essential for industries to remain adaptable and competitive. By integrating next-generation Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) through open, software-defined automation, customers can achieve new levels of industrial performance that closed systems cannot match.

For example, Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert, the world's first open software defined automation system, enables industries to respond swiftly to market and technology changes and integrate digital technologies infused with AI. This system increases engineering and operational efficiency through its adaptable and modular design, enhancing supply chain resilience while reducing total cost of ownership. Open, software-defined automation serves as a crucial lever for digitalization and a significant accelerator for AI in industrial operations.

QUESTION

How can customers quickly generate ROI from using AI applications?

ANSWER

As organizations strive for operational excellence in the digital world, developing a scalable and secure digitalization strategy is crucial. This involves integrating digital solutions that enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and improve data management across multiple sites. By adopting advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and cloud computing, businesses can achieve greater operational agility and responsiveness.

A robust digitalization strategy also includes implementing comprehensive cybersecurity measures to protect digital assets from data breaches and cyber threats. This involves deploying advanced security protocols, continuous monitoring, and proactive threat detection to safeguard sensitive information and ensure the integrity of operations.

Change management is another critical component, focusing on the seamless integration of new technologies while prioritizing the well-being of employees. Effective change management strategies involve training and support to help staff adapt to new systems, fostering a culture of innovation and resilience.

By emphasizing people, processes, technology, and cybersecurity, organizations can build a secure digital future that supports long-term resilience and operational excellence. This holistic approach ensures that businesses are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

QUESTION

What are some innovative technologies you’re seeing or working on today?

ANSWER

Schneider Electric is at the forefront of industrial and automation innovation with our open, software-defined automation approach. Going beyond virtualization, it allows flexible solutions that teams can easily share and modify, regardless of location.

Building on the success of EcoStruxure Automation Expert, we are also introducing the EcoStruxure Automation Expert Platform, a unified automation environment that offers a comprehensive overview and management of control applications including Control Logic, Motion, HMI, Safety and Simulation.

Integrating continuous, hybrid, and discrete processes, the platform streamlines engineering and maintenance. It enables multiple users to develop their control narrative using many popular programming environments and to collaborate on the same project simultaneously, boosting efficiency and speeding up project development and deployment. It will include Automation Copilot, a generative AI assistant that we have developed in collaboration with Microsoft that helps engineers rapidly create high-quality, validated code and generate applications.

In fact, we are leveraging AI to enhance every level of industrial automation, evolving our solutions to meet customer needs with improved functionalities and performance. Our AI-driven offerings enable autonomous industrial automation systems, boosting operational efficiency and reliability. By integrating advanced simulation capabilities, we empower businesses to achieve initial levels of autonomy for optimized processes and informed decision-making.

We have also recently launched a next generation motion system incorporating the Modicon M660, IPC motion controller, and Modicon Edge I/O NTS, coupled with software. This combination sets a new benchmark in motion control, offering precision, safety, cybersecurity, and edge computing. These technologies exemplify Schneider Electric's commitment to leveraging advanced automation solutions to meet the evolving needs of the industry and drive sustainable growth.

QUESTION

What’s your best piece of advice for other leaders in the industry?

ANSWER

My best piece of advice is to foster a culture of continuous innovation and adaptability. The industrial landscape is rapidly evolving, and staying ahead requires a proactive approach to embracing new technologies and strategies.

Begin by cultivating a mindset that values experimentation and learning from both successes and failures. Encourage your teams to explore emerging technologies, such as AI, IoT, and advanced robotics, and integrate these into your operations to drive efficiency and competitiveness. We did this at our 66-year-old manufacturing location in Lexington, Kentucky, and it went from siloed and inefficient to a World Economic Forum Lighthouse facility.

Next, invest in building a robust digital infrastructure that supports seamless data integration and real-time analytics. This will enable you to make informed decisions quickly and respond to market changes with agility.

Finally, remember the importance of collaboration. Forge strong partnerships with technology providers, research institutions, and other industry players to stay ahead of the latest advancements and leverage collective expertise.

QUESTION

How is your success helping customers in the field?

ANSWER

Schneider Electric brings value to its industrial customers by driving efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency through innovative solutions and dedicated services.

One of the key benefits we offer is the ability to enhance operational efficiency. By leveraging advanced automation and connectivity solutions, we help businesses streamline processes, reduce downtime, and optimize resource utilization. This not only boosts productivity but also leads to significant cost savings.

Further, in 2024, TIME named us the World’s Most Sustainable Company because of our own sustainability efforts, and those we enable for our network of customers and partners. We are dedicated to helping industrial customers reduce their environmental footprint through energy-efficient practices and technologies. By integrating digital solutions that monitor and manage energy consumption, we enable businesses to achieve their sustainability goals and contribute to a more efficient future.

Likewise, Schneider Electric's focus on resilience ensures that industrial operations remain robust and adaptable in the face of changing market conditions and technological advancements. Our comprehensive field services, including predictive maintenance and proactive technical support, help protect critical infrastructure and maximize uptime.

In addition to these tangible benefits, we are committed to building strong, long-term partnerships, providing ongoing support and expertise. Our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement means that customers can stay ahead of industry trends and leverage the latest advancements to maintain a competitive edge.